Special Collection Editors: Dr. Katharine Balolia (Australian National University); Dr. Jason Massey (Monash University)

Comparative methods in palaeoanthropology, e.g. those that use extant primate reference samples, are invaluable for inferring the palaeobiology and behaviour of extinct hominins and non-human primates. In particular, understanding how and why extant primate morphology varies in response to ecological and other selective pressures affords a more complete understanding of the adaptive advantages that specific morphological traits shared among extinct species may have conferred. Such comparative research also affords a deeper understanding of the selective pressures associated with the variation observed amongst extinct hominin and non-human primate species.

This special issue of Evolutionary Human Sciences will feature a themed collection of research papers that examine how the skeletal or dental biology of non-human primates is associated with aspects of their environment or behaviour. It will also feature research contributions that seek to interpret the observed variation in fossil hominin and other extant primate assemblages using extant comparative primate samples. By bringing together these contributions, this special issue will enhance our understanding of the evolutionary processes that influence primate morphology. It will provide an overview of how extant primate data can inform our interpretation of the fossil record, offering new perspectives on the evolution of hominins and other primates.

Submission Deadline: 31^st January 2026. Manuscripts will be considered and sent for review as soon as they are submitted, and will be published online as soon as they are accepted.

If you are considering submitting a paper, please get in touch with the editors Katharine Balolia (katharine.balolia@anu.edu.au) and Jason Massey (jason.massey@monash.edu) with the title and abstract of your proposed paper.